On Monday, March 25, 2002, the Danbury Railway Museum received an EMD SW-8, which was donated to the museum by the Pfizer Corporation. The unit is in excellent condition and has already been put into service. The arrival of the SW-8 will allow the DRM's other working power, an Alco RS-1, to be temporarily shut down for needed maintainence.
Now just as soon as Danbury gets the Roger Williams train set back, I will definately come for a visit! P.S. Will Danbury be leaving the SW painted for Pfizer? Russ
Nothing has been announced. Also, I don't know if any conditions were placed on the gift by Pfizer. The only history I know, so far, is that this SW-8 was first owned by Rock Island. It is quite unusual to find a locomotive of this age (built in the early 50s, I believe) that has had only two owners, and is in such good condition. Since this locomotive has no historic connection with the New Haven or Danbury, if there are no "strings," I would suggest it be painted in a scheme unique to the DRM. That is just my opinion, nothing official.
That would put me in a split. Yes, it would look cool in it's own unique "Danbury" scheme but it would also look cool in Rock Island Blue (Not Red - blah!) with a nice big R on the side. Please keep us informed! Russ
